Trick or Treat!

Although Skyler was a bit young to go trick or treating tonight, our little pumpkin certainly enjoyed helping us hand out candy to all the children. Here are a few pictures to make your Halloween evening extra special!

By 7:30, Skyler was exhausted, so off came her very first costume, but before I could dress her for bed, I just couldn't resist primping her in the "I love my Mummy" onesie. I'm sure next year we'll be strolling the neighborhood to partake in all the excitement.

Happy Halloween to our dear Family & Friends!

**HAPPY 5 MONTHS**

Happy 5 months of life, Miss Skyler Leona!

You are lots of sugar........

And even more spice.....

Reunited!

The Mother-Daughter relationship is at the core of every woman's physical and emotional health. I'm proud to say that my relationship with my Mum is quite close and very vibrant. She's also my dearest friend. The Lord blessed me with a mother who gives of herself unselfishly. You know the type I'm talking about......She gives of her time, her patience and her love. I look forward to developing that type of relationship with my daughter. Since Skyler's birth, my Mum, a.k.a. Glammey, had seen her every week, until that dreaded day on September 22nd.

Each year, my parents travel for a month to Cancun, Mexico and I always choke up saying goodbye. Heck, you're hearing from a daughter who still sees her parents weekly and even chats like a school girl over the phone to her mother. Anyway, it was especially hard for my Mum to say farewell this year. I watched from a distance as Glammey spent her final minutes with Skyler. It got me so emotional, but I kept reminding myself that they would return safely in our arms on October 27th.

Well, that was yesterday and Skyler was brimming with curiosity (thanks to all the gifts), enthusiasm and joy when she was reunited with her Grandparents....especially Glammey!

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, Skyler loves being outdoors. During the work day, I take her outside for a good 30 minutes. She loves the American Flag that I have hanging outside my office. When the flag is flapping on a windy day, little Miss Sky is totally fixated. Below are three pictures of outdoor time!

I'm convinced that Grandmothers and Roses are much the same. Each are God's masterpieces with different names! Welcome home, Glammey & Papa! You were greatly missed!

21st week

We began our Friday night cheering the Lakeland Dreadnaughts to a 26-7 victory over their District 5A-4 rivals, the Kissimmee Osceola Kowboys. Afterwards, we gathered on the field and enjoyed watching the team rejoice as they sang the school's Alma mater. Skyler is at the stage were she is suppose to show separation anxiety, meaning, she only wants Mummy or Daddy. Certainly not the case with our little pumpkin! She loves people, especially Miss Helen. Below is the two of them basking in the post game celebration by the football team. (I just love the picture.....)

Weekend mornings are always my favorite. Sharing in family time and then going on a 4 mile run with my sweet partner is pure happiness to my soul and Skyler really likes being outdoors. Auntie Kevie & Uncle Larry bought me the greatest running stroller and we sure get tons of use from it! I will certainly look forward to watching her grow into it as the months pass by. Pretty soon those feet will be touching that foot rest. Right now, she loves to keep them on the tray. Here is what a typical weekend morning looks like.......

Play time with Daddy then off for our morning run

All smiles ahead........

Skyler is putting constants and vowels together more and more frequently. "Hi" seems to be her favorite and most common combination. She is still a big smiler and is loving solid foods. Skyler is starting to show symptoms of her first teeth arriving quite soon. She drools more, has that occasional cough and wants to chew everything she can get into her mouth. When touching her bottom gum, you can feel the hardness......just a matter of time before that little chopper pokes out, so please, stay tuned!

Thankful Thursday

You know those days where you just feel so blessed and happy?

I'm having one of those days. Hope you are too!

Pumpkin Shumunkin

Ohhhh, what fun we had yesterday! Another first for the Short Family.........After work, we jumped in the car and headed to Lakeland's "home made" largest Pumpkin Patch at the First Methodist Church on Lake Morton. We helped Skyler pick out her very own pumpkin! It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed dressing her up in one of her Halloween outfits. She sure loved being surrounded by all that orange. Guess she's just accustomed to the color, thanks to those Dreadnaught & Gator football games! Anyway, she laughed & smiled as she touched all the pumpkins around her. I'm not sure who had more fun..........Skyler or Mummy! lol....

I hope you all enjoy these super cute photos of our little one. The batch starts off with a back view of the Pumpkin Patch.

We'll probably carve our 'winner' later this week and display it by the front door. You know, I've never personally been to a Pumpkin patch, so this will stay in my heart for years to come. Me and my two favorite Lovies just strolling down the rows of pumpkins! I'll close for now with two sweet photos of little Skyler hanging out with me at work.

Miss Silly singing to us!

Birthday Blessings

Tom celebrated his 47th birthday yesterday! The three of us, (I like saying that) went out for dinner to The Texas Cattle Company and then came home to birthday cake and lovely cards/gifts. It was Tom's first birthday being a Daddy and you could see the happiness in his eyes as he held Skyler in her "I Love Daddy" outfit, while she sported a birthday hat.....all in his honor!

Nothing ever prepares you for the love that you have for your child or the unconditional love they have for you. Tom & I both agree that our October birthdays were much richer than ever because of Skyler! Every smile, every giggle continues to melt our hearts a thousand times over.

Below are two celebration pictures of Skyler. Sorry they came out blurry. She was definitely full of energy and extremely wiggly last night.

Party Girl!

(Above) Tom's tasty birthday cake. Cheese cake layered between chocolate cake. In other words, pure unadulterated evil...lol! I was a good girl and passed on a slice due to pre pregnancy weight goals. (Below) Our sweet birthday cards from family and friends!

I've always enjoyed celebrating birthdays.......be it mine or a loved one. I must say this year's was extra special. I'm sure you can all point to the reason why! Tonight we're heading to Lakeland's largest Pumpkin patch. Should be a delightful night, so check back with us. In the mean time, I leave you with this adorable picture taken last night.

Weekend Wrap Up

We started our weekend at Castle Field on a breezy Friday night rooting on the Lakeland Dreadnaughts! Skyler enjoyed the pre game warm up show with her buddy, Miss Helen, and cheered in her brand new orange outfit from her Auntie Nicola & Uncle Bogie. We cruised past the Ridge Community Bolts 56-12 and Daddy was able to join us at half time.

Skyler & Miss Helen (above) and kisses from Daddy (below).

My dearest friend of 18 years, Micki Caldwell, drove over from Tampa to spend Saturday afternoon with us! Micki is that type of girlfriend who you can depend on for anything. You all know the type I'm talking about. Through highs and lows, smiles or tears, secrets locked away in an armored vault......yeah, that type of awesome friend. She's been with me every step of the way and I'm just so darn lucky she's mine! Anyway, we had a great visit and Skyler definitely loved all Micki's hugs and kisses! Below are some lovely pictures from our day.

Before the Steelers kicked off on Sunday, Skyler spent play time with our Westie, Laney. She just loves her squeaky doggie toys and watching the two of them together is adorable. I'm sure Laney wonders why little Skyler can not play throw-n-catch, yet. Perhaps that explains why Laney just keeps bringing more toys over to her! I captured a few shots for your enjoyment.

It was a triple victory weekend, thanks to the Naughts, the Gators and my beloved Steelers! I just have to share two of the cutest outfits ever (below). Our wonderful friend, Linda Piney, bought these for Skyler. I know it was tough purchasing the Gator outfit, because she's a die hard Penn State fan! Now, the Steeler dress was a walk in the park. Linda just loves Steeler Football. In fact, when I was pregnant, we watched Super Bowl XLIII and squeezed the heck out of each other when Big Ben threw the game winning touchdown with only 35 seconds remaining! We still chuckle wondering how I didn't go into labor that night! Ohhhh, those fun memories....

Today is Tom's birthday, so be sure to check back tomorrow night for a Daddy/Daughter post! Isn't this the greatest birthday cake? lol..... No, I did not serve this to my hubby. It probably would have ended up in my face........yummy!

Boot Scoot Boogie

Skyler is 20 weeks old today and little Miss Independent gave me the greatest birthday gift this past Wednesday.......Skyler started scooting! Sitting content and exploring what was within her reach is no longer interesting to her. Seems like a whole new world has just opened up for little Sky....The World of Mobility!

Tom & I always enjoy spending tummy time with Skyler and while I'm at work, I tend to spend an additional 20 minutes a day on this activity. This past Wednesday, I laid her on her blanket and witnessed the cutest locomotion technique. Her little hands and feet started pushing along her blanket and within minutes, she had made it to the edge. It was so much fun to watch her little watermelon behind wiggle. Her feet were working so hard that one of her socks started to come off. (see in the above picture & isn't that the sweetest outfit, with love, from Auntie Kevie)

They say babies start to crawl between 6-9 months of age. Perhaps our little one has a mssion and just some place to go a lot sooner! lol.....

It was a priceless birthday that I'll never forget. Thank you all for adding more warmth to my special day by calling and sending such lovely cards. Turning 42 was pretty dang neat & it was my very first birthday being a Mummy. I love you all,